Today in Arizona History

On this date in 1816, William Oury, who arrived in Arizona in 1857 as the first agent for the Butterfield Overland Stage Line, was born.

On this date in 1875, the Prescott postmaster disappeared with all the post office funds. He was later captured in Nevada.

Monday, Aug. 14

On this date in 1898, a violent storm swept through Gila Bend, demolishing the school, tearing the drug store off its foundation, wrecking the Southern Pacific roundhouse and overturning freight cars.

On this date in 1904, Tucson police began a series of raids designed to close down the city’s opium dens.

On this date in 1913, 10 men were killed at the Coronado Mine near Clifton when two loaded ore cars broke loose and rolled down the steep grade.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

On this date in 1888, three men were lynched at Holbrook during the aftermath of the Pleasant Valley War.

On this date in 1898, a locomotive boiler exploded in Prescott destroying the roundhouse and killing two men.

On this date in 1907, the entire Yuma contingent and a part of the Phoenix Guardsmen asked to be mustered out of the Territorial Militia because of the bad food at the annual encampment and because the officers were too harsh.

Wednesday, Aug. 16

On this date in 1879, the stages between Maricopa and Phoenix were held up so frequently that acting Gov. John W. Gasper offered a bounty of $500 for every highwayman caught in the act.

On this date in 1881, Ethel Macia, Tombstone pioneer, was born.

Thursday, Aug. 17

On this date in 1898, the Apache National Forest was established as Black Mesa National Forest. Its name was changed to Apache on July 1, 1908.

On this date in 1918, the University of Arizona campus was declared to be a military establishment and prostitution and gambling were outlawed within a 10-mile zone.

Friday, Aug. 18

On this date in 1868, Columbus and Marcy Adeline Gray, the first white settlers in what is now Phoenix, arrived in the Salt River Valley and pitched their tent on a little hill near the river.

On this date in 1921, a plague of rabid dogs in Tucson forced police officers to cruise the city and kill every dog running loose on the streets.

Saturday, Aug. 19

On this date in 1857, the first scheduled mail to go through Arizona arrived in Tucson. It was carried on horseback and left San Antonio, Texas, on July 9, 1857, in the hands of James E. Mason. It didn’t arrive in Tucson until this day because it was